Southern Rep Theatre & University of New Orleans Form New Partnership

Southern Rep Theatre announces that it will launch an expanded partnership with the University of New Orleans this season. In addition to presenting three productions at UNO's Robert E. Nims Theatre in the 2015-16 season, Southern Rep will work closely with several university departments throughout the academic year to provide training and enrichment opportunities for UNO students.

"From a production standpoint, it will be so helpful to be working in a wonderful theatre space like the Nims at UNO," said Southern Rep's Producing Artistic Director Aimée Hayes. "With a thrust stage and extensive technical capabilities, the space will allow us to produce plays on a larger scale than we have been able to do recently. This is an absolute necessity for our spring productions: Tennessee Williams' ORPHEUS DESCENDING calls for a cast of 18 and COLOSSAL, by Andrew Hinderaker, incorporates a football team, modern dance company, and drum line. These truly theatrical plays offer dramatic spectacle on a scale our audiences have rarely gotten to see from us."

Hayes continued, "They will also have a great experience coming to the University of New Orleans. The Nims Theatre has ample - and comfortable - seating that provides great sight lines, plus a complete lobby setup for box office, merchandise, and concessions and plenty of parking. Our friends at Susan Spicer's restaurant MONDO on Harrison Avenue will be offering pre-theatre dining options for Southern Rep patrons as well."

UNO's Department of Film and Theatre will collaborate with Southern Rep during the residency on campus. Students will be able to get experience working with a professional company through onstage and backstage opportunities to train alongside Southern Rep's staff.

This is not the first time Southern Rep has worked with the University of New Orleans. Through UNO's playwriting program, students have participated in Southern Rep's 6x6 and 3x3 new play development programs for several years, providing professional public performances of work by these emerging playwrights. Southern Rep also has a longstanding relationship with UNO's Arts Administration program. Southern Rep is a frequent host for master's degree candidates during their required internship, and several alumni of the program have found employment with the company. Several Southern Rep staff have been featured guest speakers for the program as well.

Southern Rep productions being staged at UNO include its holiday offering of A CHRISTMAS CAROL and spring mainstage season productions of ORPHEUS DESCENDING by Tennessee Williams and COLOSSAL by Andrew Hinderaker. Administrative functions will remain housed at 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., Suite 310, New Orleans, LA 70125.

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